There’s not much more a softball player can do than pitch a great game and then provide the game-winning hit.
Case in point: Cardinal O’Hara sophomore Maggie Watkins.
In a matchup with implications on standings and its own emotional weight, Watkins helped lead Cardinal O’Hara to a dramatic 3-2 victory over previously undefeated Archbishop Wood on May 7, a win that could prove pivotal in the Philadelphia Catholic League race.
Watkins was at the center of everything.
In the circle, she delivered one of her most complete performances of the season, allowing just two runs on four hits and a walk. She kept the Lions within striking distance throughout. Then, in the bottom of the seventh inning, Watkins shifted the outcome entirely with her bat.
After O’Hara fell behind 2-1 in the top half of the inning on a triple by Wood sophomore Ellie Walicki, the defending PCL champions responded with a poised final frame.
With two outs and the game on the line, Watkins—who had been 0-for-3—stepped into the box and scorched a two-run single that scored sophomore Sami Daly and senior Emily Dill, sealing the walk-off win.
The result improved O’Hara to 8-1 on the season and dropped Wood to 7-1, tightening the race near the top of the league standings. It also positioned O’Hara favorably for a potential first-round bye as the regular season winds down. The Lions close their schedule Tuesday afternoon against visiting Archbishop Carroll.
For Watkins, the moment carried significance beyond the scoreboard.
“It was definitely very nerve-wracking. It was a really big game—we knew we had to win,” Watkins said. “Going up with two outs when I was 0-for-3 for the day was a little bit tough, but I just stepped up honestly thinking contact was all we needed. After I fouled off the first pitch, I took a deep breath and stepped in the box just thinking I needed to do it for my team.”
Her approach reflected both maturity and growing confidence in a program under the scrutiny that comes with being defending champs. O’Hara entered the season carrying expectations after graduating standout pitcher Hayden Sissons, last year’s PCL MVP.
Watkins acknowledged the pressure of stepping into that void.
“It was very important to me,” she said. “Coming in as a sophomore after Hayden Sissons was definitely intimidating. I feel as though most teams thought that they had us beat because she was gone, but I’m really glad that I am proving people wrong and just going out and playing my game. With the hitting, that’s just a plus, but my teammates keep me motivated to keep up the good work.”
Junior teammate Hayden Reale emphasized the team-wide mentality that has carried O’Hara through a demanding stretch.
“Today’s win was huge,” Reale said. “I am so proud of how our team stayed strong not only in this game but also the other important games of the season. We knew coming into the back end of our season how difficult it would be, so it is amazing how much resilience and grit we have shown.”
Even with O’Hara now firmly in the title conversation again, Watkins said the mindset inside the dugout remains steady.
“There definitely is still some pressure knowing everyone is after us,” she said, “but I think if we keep playing our game and keep the energy up, there should be no pressure.”
***
Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on X @johnknebels.
Share this story